KER-PLUNK: Curtis Granderson gets drilled on his right arm by a J.A. Happ fastball, fracturing his forearm and sidelining him until early May. (
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TAMPA — It didn’t look or feel bad. But the pitch that hit Curtis Granderson in the right forearm sure hurt the Yankees.
A lineup that lost considerable muscle during the offseason via free agency, will be without Granderson until at least early May after he suffered a fractured right forearm when he was hit by Toronto’s J.A. Happ in his initial exhibition season at-bat yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
It’s a situation that is far more painful than the frigid wood Granderson carried last October in the ALCS.
“You can only control what you can. To be down and pout, that’s not going to change anything,’’ said Granderson, whose forearm was covered with a brace. “Obviously, it’s a big bump in the road.’’
It’s much more than that on several fronts.
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One, the Yankees watched close to 100 homers vanish via free agency from last season. Two, the Yankees will play the first month without Granderson’s bat that produced 43 homers and 106 RBIs a year ago. Three, the names in camp that will get a chance to replace Granderson in left are pedestrian or too young. Four, the trade and free-agent markets are limited.
“Whatever we got is right here in camp. If something materializes outside, so be it,’’ GM Brian Cashman said. “Wait it out at the very least. We will keep our eyes and ears open. We will continue to look to see if there is anything better than what we have in camp.’’
Even though his skills have diminished, Vernon Wells is better than what the Yankees have in right-handed hitters Juan Rivera and Matt Diaz.
The Angels talked to the Phillies about the right-handed hitter and didn’t ask for much talent in return, but wanted the Phillies to pay $10 million of the $42 million Wells is owed this year and next.
Instead, the Phillies signed free agent Delmon Young.
Wells, batted .230 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs in 77 games for the Angels. The 34-year-old would present an upgrade over Diaz or Rivera when Granderson returns.
The Braves will listen to offers for speedsters Jose Constanza and Jordan Schafer since one is going to be their fifth outfielder and the other won’t make the team. The drawback is they are left-handed hitters with little power.
The Yankees are high on their young outfielders, but only Melky Mesa and Ronnier Mustelier have played above Double-A. Mesa is solid defensively but with a history of minor league strikeouts. Mustelier can hit but doesn’t have a legitimate position.
Cashman isn’t thinking about moving Eduardo Nunez from the infield to the outfield.
“Not necessarily for me,’’ Cashman said of moving Nunez, who struggled at short and third last season. “It could be for other people but I don’t see that as an option from my perspective.’’
Johnny Damon is a free agent, but has to be considered a long shot.
Granderson, who started in left field with Brett Gardner in center, was hit with a 2-2 fastball by the left-handed Happ. So, at least until May, Joe Girardi’s experiment in left and center is dashed.
“My body is feeling good. My arm is feeling good and five pitches in, a setback,’’ said Granderson who suffered a similar injury in 2008 in spring training with the Tigers and missed the first three weeks of the season. “They said it could be worse.’’
That’s true, because if everything goes well, Granderson will miss only a month of the regular season.
However, a lineup that had a decided lack of muscle will spend at least the first 28 games without a bat that despite striking out 195 times and batting .232 still has to be respected.
george.king@nypost.com